Mail-bag



(No Model.)

R. A. KNEELAND.

MAIL BAG.

No. 596,168. Patented Dec. 28,1897.

ammoz Roma lusJl. jfizeeland aitozms 'NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROMULUS A. KNEELAND, OF BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN.

MAIL-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,168, dated December 28, 1897. Application filed April 24, 1897. Serial No- 633,752. (No model.)

To aZl whom it may concern.-

Be it kn own that LBoMULUs A. KNEELAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Benton Harbor, in the county of Berrien and 5 State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bags; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to mail-bags, and more particularly to the manner of closing the end so as to prevent tampering with its contents; and the object is to provide a device of this character which will be comparatively inexpensive in its production.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View-of a mail-bag embodying my invention, its flaps being shown open; and Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view through the mail-bag with the flaps closed.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a mail-bag which is made after the well-known construction, and 2 denotes the usual flap. This flap is provided with a series of small holes 3 on a line with its fold and is provided with metallic stays, formed on the outside of the flap, the ends of the stays projecting beyond the edges, for a purpose presently to appear.

5 denotes a series of metallic stays which are suitably secured to the side of the bag near its upper end and which have their upper ends projecting beyond the edge of the bag and when the flap is folded over project through the holes 3 to preventthe flap being drawn sidewise should it be intended to gain access to the contents of the bag. Secured 0 below these stays 5 is a supplemental flap 6, which is provided with two or more holes 7,

stays 4. This flap is adapted to be folded over the upper end of the bag and is provided with a staple 8, which projects through registering holes 9, 10, and 11 of the flap 2, the

upper end of the bag, and the supplemental adapted to receive the projecting ends of the 0 in one direction while allowing the flap to be folded in the other direction, sothat the bag is perfectlypliable.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s-- The combination of a mail-bag provided with the usual flap, having on a line of the fold a series of openings, and provided on its outer side with metallic stays the ends of which project beyond the edge of the flap, metallic stays secured to the side of the bag near its upper end and having their extended ends projecting through the aforesaid holes, and a supplemental flap secured beyond the last-named stays, provided with a series of holes adapted to receive the extended ends of the first-named stays, and means for locking the flaps and the mouth of the bag together, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

ROMULUS A. KNEELAND.

Witnesses:

Mrs. C. G. MULLER, MARY A. KNEELAND. 

